Cardiff City Youngster Gets First Wales Call

Cardiff City youngster Darcy Blake has been called-up to the Wales squad due to play Luxembourg next week - his first senior call-up.

It's a remarkable acheivement for Blake, whose Bluebirds career looked all but over after struggling with weight and discipline problems last season. A loan move to Plymouth Argyle followed, and he looked set to leave. However, a lack of bodies handed him a second chance and Blake performed spectacularly.

Dave Jones is not used to seeing a fringe player stake a real claim and cause him selection problems - always choosing to remain loyal to his regular first XI. However, Blake stormed into contention with some battling midfield displays before a centre-back crisis handed him a chance in his preferred role.

Few could have anticipated the sterling performances we saw from Blake at the tail end of last year and his partnership with Anthony Gerrard in particular was dominant. He looks set to play a big part this season for City, and can operate in central defence, right-back or in midfield.

Congratulations to Darcy on his call-up, unfortunately ruling him out of Tuesday's Carling Cup clash - in which he was odds-on to start.